The Malta Union of Teachers have sent a reply to my article and story about the current proposed agreement by the government to the MUT. My story claimed that the MUT wants to swiftly conclude and approve what is being offered to them by the Ministry of Education. I am reproducing the MUT’s right of reply in full. However, there have also been some updates since then I will be uploading another article later on. I would have no objection to MUT sending more clarifications and replies.
Also, I would advise them to go easy on those exclamation marks.
The MUT Council is giving the opportunity to all members to participate in meetings and in the vote of the Sectoral Agreement and had voted unanimously in a motion to ensure this.
Reference to your article entitled ย Members of the Malta Union of Teachers will vote on the new conditions offered by the government: MUT wants to sign
It is not correct that *teachers who wonยt be attending the meeting on 30th May will have to vote onlineย. The process shall include two face-to-face meetings and a week-long online meetings with members. The online voting process shall be opened throughout the viewing/meetings period so any member can vote following the informed decision taken after attending meetings or after viewing the agreement.
It not correct that ยThe new procedure to vote for the new proposal isnยt allowing the unionยs members enough time and space to discuss the proposals.ย The procedure as per statute ย includes a five day notice period and a five days viewing of the agreement period. The notice period started last Friday and the voting shall be open for five days. There will be the face to face meetings in Malta and in Gozo, online meetings, questions and answer meetings and a viewing period of the agreement. This process surely allows members enough space!
It is not correct that ยso basically ordinary members have been disconnected from the unionยs leadership and had no chance to make extensive changes to the union and its proceduresย. The MUTยs procedures are updated continuously and this is thanks to the direct feedback of members. To facilitate the process leading to a new agreement, the MUT carried out an extensive consultation/feedback process with members. This was followed with the setting-up of working groups in each of the seven main grades affected by the agreement. The discussion in the working groups led to the direction of the union. We can add the hundreds of meetings held with individuals and groups to discuss such matters. This process surely has members connected!
Also it is not correct to say that ยThere is pressure from the government to quickly conclude the deal, and the MUT leadership seems to be transferring this pressure onto its membersย. The MUT had extensive pressure from members during negotiations of the new agreement to conclude negotiations. Now that negotiations are concluded there are expectations from all to have the process concluded. The MUT is following the statute-established timeframes and has not reduced any timeframes. Clearly the union is not transferring any pressure to members!
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